Three people were killed and 31 others injured by Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, according to the Lebanese government. The violence occurred as residents of villages near the border defied orders by Israel’s military not to return to their homes.
The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health reported that one person was killed and nine others injured in Houla, with eight others injured in Kfar Kila. Two people were also killed in the towns of Blida and Aitaroun.
The Israeli military had ordered residents of dozens of southern Lebanese villages not to return to their homes earlier in the morning, citing a ceasefire agreement that ended months of conflict with Hezbollah. The agreement required Israel to withdraw all of its forces from southern Lebanon, but the Israeli government said some forces would remain, blaming Lebanon for failing to uphold its end of the agreement.
Lebanon’s President Joseph Aoun said he was “monitoring this issue at the highest levels” and promised to “ensure your rights and dignity” to the residents of the south. The Israeli military has been contacted for comment.
The deaths come as Israel’s military continues to occupy areas of southern Lebanon, despite the ceasefire agreement. The Israeli government has said it will not withdraw its forces from the area by Sunday’s deadline, in violation of the agreement.